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How big will it be?
How big will it be?
The facility is now mostly constructed and awaiting temporary certificate of occupancy. The project is anticipated to be fully completed in Spring of 2026.
What will it look like?
What will it look like?
The facility is now mostly constructed and awaiting temporary certificate of occupancy. The project is anticipated to be fully completed in Spring of 2026.
Where will it be located?
Where will it be located?
The structure will span the entire block behind The Studio School and the other structures on the 2900 block of Grove Ave - from Sheppard Ave. to North Colonial Ave.
Plans shown below mark the area to be modified in red [perimeter fence for construction] and the structure in black outline.
Paving will be added to either end for the new parking. Bird's Eye View
What about the Studio School?
What about the Studio School?
The land parcels were combined - including a private alley - for the purposes of a medical office with parking back in the 1970's. That's why homes were never built in the space.
The VMFA later leased parking in this space from prior owners of the property. In the late 1980's, a Special Use Permit was approved for the parking and landscaping improvements as seen and maintained today.
Later, Health South acquired the property and then rented the structure and parking directly to the VMFA for use as The Studio School. Then, Health South donated the land and structures to the VMFA Foundation.
The layout and parking uses have remained in operation, uninterrupted, for over thirty years - providing space for The Studio School activities, VMFA staff, and public space for the Museum District residents to enjoy with their pets, picnics, and art projects.
The VMFA LLC never obtained building permits during renovation of The Studio School per public records. Similarly, a certificate of occupancy has never been updated since the medical offices in the early 1990's.
The VMFA Real Estate Company LLC leases the parcel and structure to the Commonwealth of Virginia for an annual lease of $1. This is not uncommon for non-profit arrangements.
What is the VMFA Foundation?
What is the VMFA Foundation?
The VMFA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit [corporation] intended to serve the public interests in exchange for favorable tax treatment by the IRS. This foundation operates independently of the State VMFA and is NOT subject to things like Freedom of Information Act disclosure or inquiry.
Non-Profits are supposed to operate at the highest ethical standards serving the community - in exchange for favorable tax treatment.
The VMFA Real Estate Company LLC is a legal entity of the VMFA Foundation that owns the land at 2915 Grove Ave - a parcel that includes parts of Grove Ave, Sheppard St., and N. Colonial Ave - spanning the central portion of the block.
The Foundation has also used other names in the past...
The Virginia Museum Foundation
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation
V M F A Real Estate Company LLC
Virginia Museum Real Estate Foundation
Virginia Museum Foundation
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Board Of [sic]
The Foundation was formed in 1976 and has been tax exempt since 1977. The foundation will not release its original application for exemption as is supposed to be available for public inspection, upon request.
The Foundation Board of Directors is separate from the VMFA Board of Trustees established by VA Law: "The management and control of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts ... is vested in a board of trustees ... composed of (i) the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the mayor of the City of Richmond, who shall serve ex officio, and (ii) at least 25 but not more than 35 nonlegislative citizen members. "
The VMFA Foundation owns a lot on these blocks...
The VMFA Foundation owns a lot on these blocks...
The first two items serve legitimate VMFA and community purposes - which is in agreement with the non-profit entity and Virginia Department of General Services.
201 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard - Offices with Lease
207 REAR N Arthur Ashe Blvd - Parking
211 REAR N Arthur Ashe Blvd - Parking
202 Rear N Mulberry St - Parking
2915 Grove Ave - The Studio School with Lease
This is a combination of several parcels and private alley
Parking on combined Sheppard / Colonial parcels
The below properties DO NOT have an associated lease with the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of General Services per FOIA requests - they were acquired by purchase by the Foundation rather than donated into it.
107 N Colonial Ave - Parking
While the above property may just be overlooked - it does help to have parking. This residential parcel was turned into parking when a larger development plan for a multi-story apartment dwelling fell through, so the VMFA scooped it up. The below however... not sure how they are helping the greater community or the Virginia Museum of FIne Arts Educational Purposes.
2811 Grove Ave - Museum District Bed and Breakfast
There is a Special Use Permit allowing this operation.
They were issued a violation of their SUP for violating occupancy rules.
The operation may not have been collecting lodging tax historically.
They have recently registered this operation with the VA SCC in December 2024, likely in pursuit of complying with City of Richmond Ordinance 2023-151 in pursuit of a business license - so that remittance can occur.
2823 Grove Ave - Multi-Family Residential, 4-5 Units
Recent acquisition in 2024 - unsure of plans here.
2905 Grove Ave - Single Family Residence
This property was held by an intermediate entity before selling to the VMFA Real Estate Company LLC.
No records of permits and inspections between or after transfers.
2815 Grove Ave - Single Family Residence
Unsure of Occupancy or Future Purpose
There is also a $2.5 million credit line established against some of these properties per public record.
Building Details / City of Richmond Permits
Building Details / City of Richmond Permits
How can I help?
How can I help?
Please speak to your city council representative and/or please sign up to speak at city council to share your feedback. You can also donate to our GoFundMe to assist with the costs that were are incurring seeking transparency. All donations will be refunded to contributors if an opportunity permits.
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